Long stay visa to get married to a French citizen

1. Long stay visa and residence permit in France

From the 1st of June 2009, long stay visa holders will be allowed to reside in France for up to 12 months according to the validity of their visa and purpose of stay. They will no longuer be required to obtain a residence permit ("carte de séjour") from the French local authorities ("Préfecture") as long as their visa is valid.

It may take about 21 days for all other nationalities.
Applications cannot be processed more than 3 months ahead of time.

4. Requirements

You must provide a French translation of every document and are required to please enclose the originals plus 1 photocopy of each document submitted with the application (including the translations). You are also required to provide the documents in the order listed below and as such : original + 1 copy, translation + 1 copy, original + 1 copy, and so on.

1. One application form ( English version) filled out completely and signed by the applicant.

2.One ID picture glued/stapled onto the application form

3.Original passport or travel document (+ ONE COPY of the identity pages). Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years ago, be valid for at least ten months from the day you apply and have at least 2 blank visas pages left.

If you need it to travel, you may send your passport to the consulate when the visa process ends (we would contact you to let you know the process is over).

4.Status in the US - If you are not a US citizen, copy of your green card or visa.

5.Original of the "Certificat de publication des bans et de non opposition" delivered by the City Hall where the marriage will take place + one photocopy.

6.Proof of the French nationality of your future spouse : (+ one photocopy) :

certificate of the registration in a French Consulate abroad (carte consulaire en cours de validité)

or a French national ID (carte nationale d’identité française)

or a certificate of French nationality (certificat de nationalité francaise)

or a copy of the letters of naturalization (ampliation d’un décret de naturalisation ou de réintégration dans la nationalité française).

7.Original of the "Attestation d’accueil" established by the City Hall of the resident you will be staying with for the duration of your stay (+ one photocopy).

8.Proof of future residency in France or letter of intention to reside in France from the future French spouse + one photocopy.

9.Health insurance covering your stay in France (for the first three months of your stay in France) + one photocopy.

10.Justification of your personal income (your last three bank statements) + photocopy.

13. A self-addressed prepaid envelope with a tracking number from USPS OR FEDEX ONLY. You may use one envelope per family. You don’t have to provide an envelope if you prefer to pick up your passport when it is ready. For FedEx, you must choose the option “BILL RECIPIENT”, not “BILL SENDER”.Please keep copy of your tracking number (as we are not going to do so), stick the mailing label on the envelope and fill out like this :

FROM:YOUR NAME88 Kearny Street #600SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108

TO:Your full nameYour address

5. Important information

The consular administration has full authority to evaluate and request more documents than those submitted by the applicant.

Please be aware that submitting the aforementioned documents does not guarantee the approval of the visa.

Please note that holders of visas are still subject to immigration control upon first entry into France. The visa itself does not grant the right to enter France.